CLEVELAND — U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci has asked a federal judge in Cleveland to stop attorneys for a
northeastern Ohio businessman from forcing him to testify at the businessman’s trial.

Renacci has been subpoenaed by telemarketing millionaire and Republican donor Benjamin Suarez.
His attorneys wrote in a motion filed on Monday that the Wadsworth congressman’s testimony is not
needed.

Suarez, 72, was indicted last year on charges that included conspiracy to violate federal
campaign finance laws, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. The charges are related to
donations totaling $100,000 each to Renacci’s successful campaign for re-election in 2012 and the
unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidacy of Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel.

The indictment said Suarez and a top official for North Canton-based Suarez Corporation
Industries asked employees and others, including Suarez’s daughters and sons-in-law, to make
maximum donations to the campaigns and were then quickly reimbursed by the company. It is a
violation of federal law to make federal political donations in someone else’s name.

Both Republicans returned the donations after learning of an FBI investigation and are not
accused of wrongdoing.

Suarez’s attorneys said in their opening statement last week that Suarez did not know he was
breaking the law when he had his company reimburse those who had been asked to donate.

Renacci’s motion said that the congressman’s testimony is not essential to the case and forcing
him to testify would interfere with his governmental responsibilities.

The rules of the House of Representatives oblige Renacci to be available to cast votes when the
House is in session, the attorneys wrote, and Renacci has other legislative business he must take
care of in Washington.

Suarez’s attorneys also have subpoenaed Renacci’s former chief of staff and campaign manager,
James Slepian. The court filing said forcing either of the two men to testify would be “
unreasonable or oppressive.”

Renacci spokeswoman Megan Taylor said yesterday in a statement that the court filing “speaks for
itself” and declined to comment. Slepian could not be reached.